Avowed backgrounds, attributes and builds explained

Nov. 27, 2024

Get the the best Avowed build with this breakdown of backgrounds and attributes

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Avowed backgrounds give you a preset distribution of attributes - effectively a build to start you off. However, there’s a few interesting twists to the system and you’re not really bound to any of the choices you make during character creation, beyond specific dialogue options each background gives you once you’re out in the world. However, because there’s a few new ideas going around inAvowedand nothing is as clear as calling a mage a mage, you might be unsure what background does what or, if you want to respec a few points, where best to spend them to change up your skills. I can explain all that here by talking a look at Avowed backgrounds, all the attributes and even some build ideas below.

Avowed Attributes

Avowed attributes are all fairly self explanatory, with each one governing two facets of your character. It’s a simple system with fairly clean boundaries. The one interesting twist is having Might govern damage fromallweapons and magic, meaning it’s a vital stat for any build.

Because Avowed attributes are so clear it makes the skills you need for various builds easy to pick out. The only curveball isMight governing all damage,meaning whatever you want to be, you’ll have to spec a lot of points into that.

All Avowed backgrounds are basicallypresets with points scattered around the attributes that fit the backstory.However, you can respec all your points right at the start of character creation, and any background can access and use all the abilities and equipment in the game. So the only thing you’re really getting locked into with this choice are ‘unique dialogue options’ and a starting weapon

So that means that these backgrounds aren’t really permanent, more a starting suggestion for stats that suit certain archetypes. If you want, you could pick the War Hero, a tanky fighter style character, and immediately move all your points into intellect to create a mage with War Hero dialogue options.

The Avowed Arcane Scholar is one of the best starting magic options. It points lean intoDexterity, Perception and Intellectto boost your spell casting, range and attack speed. It also comes with a decent Might stat to give you some good damage from the start.

As far as the dialogue options go expect to get more choices when it comes to ‘occult knowledge, legal precedent, historical observation and poetry’.

Here’s the full breakdown of Avowed Arcane Scholar stats:

The Avowed Court Augur is an odd option, not least because it starts with no Might or Constitution, and so the least damage and health of all the backgrounds. Instead, all its biggest stats are focused onperception and Intellect, giving it good range and magic power. So it’s sort of a classic mage glass cannon type thing, only with no points in damage, so more just ‘glass’.

Picking such a delicate, magic focused character to start with is probably not the best option. If you do want to focus on spells go with the Arcane Scholar above, which is similar but had a couple of points of Might to boost damage. The Noble Scion below is also probably a better magic option, with a sliver more health to start with.

As far as dialogue options go this characters is described as being weird enough to be chased out of their village, and a specialist in mysticism, while wielding ‘power from the shadows’ with influence and deception.

Here’s all the Avowed Court Augur background stats

The Avowed Noble Scion is an extremely unclear class, looking like another spin on magic, with its focus onDexterity, Perception and Intellectfor speed, range and magic power. However, its abilities are slightly smoothed out across the board, losing a point from the spell casting Intellect to give Constitution and health a lift instead.

When it comes to dialogue options the only clear characteristic this character seems to have is that they’re rich.

Here are all the Avowed Noble Scion attributes:

The Avowed Vanguard Scout is essentially a rogue-like fighter withstats focusing on speed and range with physical weapons.It’s basically a faster, slightly less powerful warrior compared to the tanky War Hero. If you’re not planning on using ranged options it’s probably worth taking some points off of Perception to boost your Might for more damage instead.

It’s dialogue options focus on subterfuge, and things like tracking and spying.

Here are all the Avowed Vanguard Scout attributes:

The Avowed War Hero is the classic tanky fighter, with all its points focused onhealth, damage and stamina.It’s built to get up front in a fight and dish it out as much as take it. This is an all physical starter set of stats, so don’t pick this if you’re even vaguely tempted by magic.

The War Hero dialogue options are less clear, with only your history of battle and scars mentioned.

These are all the Avowed War Hero stats

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I’m GamesRadar’s Managing Editor for guides, which means I runGamesRadar’s guides and tips content. I also write reviews, previews and features, largely about horror, action adventure, FPS and open world games. I previously worked on Kotaku, and the Official PlayStation Magazine and website.

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